Hobart Ecomax HEPLG78A Lava Rock Gas Chargrill 700mm

The Hobart Ecomax HEPLG78A is a 700mm wide lava rock gas chargrill designed for professional kitchen use. Lava rock cooking works by absorbing heat from the gas burners and radiating it evenly upward, producing the consistent high-surface temperatures and characteristic charred finish that chargrill cooking demands. The unit features two separate cast iron cooking grids — one dedicated to meat and one to fish — which helps kitchens manage allergen separation and cross-contamination risk in service without improvisation.

In a working kitchen environment, lava rock chargrills are valued for their ability to sustain cooking temperatures through continuous use. The rock bed retains heat effectively during busy periods, reducing the temperature drop that occurs when cold product is placed on the grill. Cast iron grids hold and distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface, helping to produce consistent results across a full service rather than just at the start of it.

From an operational standpoint, the dual-grid configuration offers some practical advantages worth noting:

• Dedicated grids for meat and fish support cleaner allergen management in service
• Cast iron surfaces develop a natural seasoning over time, improving release and reducing sticking
• Lava rock beds are straightforward to replace when required, keeping maintenance simple
• Stainless steel construction throughout supports cleaning and withstands heavy kitchen use
• 700mm footprint sits within a standard cooking suite line without excessive space impact

As a gas appliance, the unit requires a suitable gas supply connection and adequate ventilation — it should be installed beneath an appropriate extraction canopy in line with current UK gas safety and ventilation regulations. At 98kg, positioning and any repositioning should be planned accordingly. Professional installation by a Gas Safe registered engineer is required. This is a direct gas chargrill, so no water or electrical supply beyond ignition is involved, which keeps the installation relatively straightforward compared with combination or electric units.

The HEPLG78A is well suited to restaurants, pub kitchens, and hotel operations where chargrilled dishes feature regularly on the menu and service volumes justify a dedicated unit. The 700mm cooking width is practical for mid-volume operations. Sites with higher throughput or those running chargrill as a primary cooking method across extended services may want to consider a wider or higher-capacity alternative. Equally, for kitchens where chargrill is occasional rather than central, a smaller unit may be more proportionate.

If you are planning a kitchen where this unit will anchor a cooking suite, or if you have questions about gas supply, ventilation requirements, or how this fits alongside other equipment, our team is happy to talk it through before you commit.